Juveniles questioned about incendiary devices on tracks

CONCORD -- Two juveniles, ages 14 and 15, have been summoned for their involvement in planting incendiary devices on commuter-rail tracks in town, law enforcement officials announced Wednesday.

Police reported that public-safety dispatchers took a report of a brush fire along the tracks at around 4:50 p.m. near Sudbury Street on the Fitchburg line.

"The fire and police departments responded," according to an update on the Concord Police Facebook page. "A request was made to stop train service. Firefighters quickly reported, it appeared an incendiary device had caused the fire."

The Transit Police Explosive Detection Unit determined that the device was safe while at the scene. The devices were made from a plastic bottle containing two liquid chemicals. Those chemicals can be purchased over the counter. The investigation concluded that passengers and Concord residents were not in harms way.

"When the chemicals interact with one another, over a period of time, they heat up and cause a flash fire," MBTA Superintendent Richard Sullivan wrote in a release.

According to the MBTA Transit Police, the two male juveniles are both residents of Concord.

"The juveniles will be summonsed into court for possession of incendiary devices and interfering with public transportation," Sullivan said. "Other minor aspects of the investigation is ongoing."

Transit police emphasized say they do not believe the bottles were an act of terrorism.

Transit detectives as well and Concord Police jointly investigated the incident.

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